UC Davis Title IX Lawyer: Campus Misconduct Defense

This page is for UC Davis students accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment, and for their parents. It covers what is specific to this campus: the offices involved, how a matter starts, the documents UC Davis posts, and campus rules and timelines. Anyone looking for a UC Davis Title IX lawyer should know that the systemwide process is explained in full on the UC Title IX lawyer page, and this page does not repeat it.

UC Davis Offices: Title IX and Student Conduct

The Title IX Office, HDAPP, and Compliance and Policy

The UC Davis sources call the campus office the Title IX Office. Day-to-day intake is shared between the Title IX Officer and the Harassment and Discrimination Assistance and Prevention Program (HDAPP). The campus health services page says HDAPP is the office the Title IX Officer designated to receive reports of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, stalking, and discrimination. Mail to the Title IX Officer goes to the Office of Compliance and Policy, which reports to the Office of the Chancellor and oversees responses to complaints of sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The campus FAQ says an investigator is assigned from the Compliance and Policy office and serves as a “neutral and objective fact-finder”. It also says neither alternative resolution nor formal investigation is confidential. The University treats the information as private and shares it only with people who have a right or need to know.

Student Conduct and Integrity

The current conduct policy names Student Conduct and Integrity as the designated office that administers student conduct policies for academic and social misconduct. Older pages, including the 2024 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report and the campus respondent page, name the Director of the Office of Student Support and Judicial Affairs (OSSJA) as the person who reviews the investigation report and proposes a sanction. Check which office name your own notice uses.

How the conduct code and the SVSH framework fit together

• Which office reviews first: PPM 400-20 says the Title IX Officer and HDAPP review all reports of sexual harassment and sexual violence to decide the University response, and says the University generally responds either by alternative resolution or by a formal investigation.
• Code sections: Section 102.26 of the conduct policy makes a violation of the UC SVSH Policy and PPM 400-20 a ground for discipline. Section 103.12 says that when a formal investigation is appropriate, the campus uses PACAOS Appendix E or Appendix F. Section 103.11 sends general conduct cases to Appendix H. Section 103.13 sends discrimination, harassment, and retaliation cases under the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy to Appendix G.
• If Title IX does not apply: The campus FAQ says the Title IX Officer tells the complainant the decision and the reason, and gives referrals, with supportive measures where appropriate. The Officer may also take action aimed at the behavior. A separate HDAPP page says that when the conduct is not prohibited conduct under the sexual violence policy, the matter may be referred to another office, including OSSJA.

How a Matter Starts at UC Davis

Reporting routes

Anyone may report, including witnesses and people who learned of the conduct. Reports can go to HDAPP by telephone or email, through the online Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Incident Report Form, or by mail or email to the Title IX Officer. There is also an anonymous call line. University employees who are Responsible Employees must report incidents to the Title IX Office, with exceptions for confidential resources. A person may also report to police or to outside agencies, instead of or in addition to the University. Anonymity cannot be guaranteed.

Time and jurisdiction limits

The UC SVSH Policy says there is no time limit for reporting, though the sooner the University receives a report, the better able it is to respond. A UC Davis page says concerns about conduct on or after August 14, 2020 are handled through the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response site.

What the office says happens after a report

An HDAPP staff member explains the administrative procedures and discusses interim protections. The report is then reviewed. The Title IX Officer checks whether it alleges prohibited conduct covered by the policy and whether there is enough information to proceed. The listed responses are:

• closing the file after the initial assessment;
• closing with referrals or supportive measures;
• supportive measures or early resolution, where respondents may be told of allegations;
• Alternative Resolution;
• Formal Investigation.

Alternative Resolution is voluntary, and both parties must agree. HDAPP contacts the respondent to ask whether they will take part, and if the respondent agrees, both parties receive written notice of the allegations, the process and their rights. Either party can end it, and the Title IX Officer can too. If it ends, the University decides next steps, which may include a Formal Investigation. The campus FAQ says information from an alternative resolution can be used if a formal investigation begins, and as potential evidence if future allegations are made against the same respondent.

In a Formal Investigation, the respondent receives a notification letter. It states the allegations, summarizes the process and the respondent’s rights, and says whether Appendix E or interim Appendix F applies. The Respondent Services Coordinator also contacts the respondent. The respondent may submit information, identify witnesses, and propose questions. A respondent may choose not to participate, and the respondent page says that choice is not held against them, though the investigation continues without their input.

UC Davis Documents and Their Dates

• Interim UC Davis Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline, revision date January 1, 2026. It applies to students who received the conduct office’s emailed notice of alleged violations after January 1, 2026. Earlier cases are directed to the prior policy.
• UC SVSH Policy (interim), PACAOS Appendix E, and interim Appendix F, all effective January 1, 2026. The conduct policy lists Appendices E, F, G, and H.
• UC Davis PPM 400-20, dated March 16, 2020. It says the UC policy controls where the two are inconsistent.
• 2024 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, issued September 2024 (section 5.7).

Older versions are still posted next to newer ones, and they use older office names. Each document has its own rule for which cases it covers, based on dates such as the incident date or the date a notice was sent. The respondent page says your notification letter specifies whether Appendix E or interim Appendix F will be used. Where documents differ, ask the Title IX Office which one governs your case.

UC Davis Rules and Timelines in Campus Documents

Typical timelines

The respondent page says Alternative Resolution typically takes 30 to 60 business days and investigations typically take 60 to 90 business days. The 2024 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report says that after an investigation, the process may take about 20 business days if all parties accept the preliminary determination and any proposed sanction. If one or both parties request a fact-finding hearing, it typically takes at least 90 business days.

Interim action

Under section 107.00 of the Interim UC Davis Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline, interim action excludes a student from classes or other activities or areas before a final determination. It may be used when there is reasonable cause to believe the student’s presence will lead to abuse, threats, or conduct threatening anyone’s health or safety, and the restriction is limited to the minimum necessary. The student gets prompt notice of the charges, the duration, and the chance for a prompt hearing. The policy says the Chancellor reviews the action within twenty-four hours. Section 107.01 says the Director must tell the student in writing, within two days of the hearing request, whether the action is lifted, modified, or kept in place. Those decisions cannot be appealed. The University typically reviews an interim action each quarter.

Suspension, dismissal, and transcript notation

Under sections 105.05 and 105.06, a student on suspension may not register at another UC campus, and dismissal lasts for an indefinite period. Except in exceptional circumstances, UC Davis will not consider a petition for readmission for three years after dismissal. Section 106.00 requires a transcript notation for the length of a suspension or dismissal. The wording is “Disciplinary Suspension from UC Davis” or “Disciplinary Dismissal from the University of California”. Suspension notations are removed when the suspension ends. Dismissal notations are removed only if the student is readmitted to UC Davis. No other disciplinary actions are recorded on transcripts.

Support for Respondents at UC Davis

• Respondent Services Coordinators: A coordinator for students helps you understand your rights, explains the investigation and hearing processes, and refers you to campus and community resources for counseling, legal services, housing, and academic changes. The respondent page says coordinators are “not legally required to maintain confidentiality”, though they generally ask for signed consent before sharing identifying information. They cannot accompany you to meetings.
• Student Health and Counseling Services (counseling): PPM 400-20 lists licensed counselors and healthcare providers there as confidential when they receive information while providing care. The health services page adds that in some circumstances its providers and staff must report possible sexual harassment to the Title IX Office.
• Office of the Ombuds: PPM 400-20 lists it as a confidential resource. The sources say little else about its role for respondents.
• Complainant-only: The Center for Advocacy, Resources and Education (CARE) offers confidential services to people who experienced sexual violence and accompanies complainants as support persons. It is not a respondent resource.

Related pages: California Title IX defense attorney and Title IX investigation guide.

The UC Process in Brief

Under the systemwide rules, a formal case begins when the Title IX Officer, after consulting Student Conduct, sends both parties a written notice of charges, and the investigation then usually takes 60 to 90 business days and is decided on a preponderance of the evidence. The parties see the evidence before the report is final, for no more than 5 business days absent good cause under Appendix E (relevant evidence) or at least 10 business days under Appendix F (directly related evidence). The report ends with a preliminary determination, and the next 20 business days matter: under Appendix E a party may contest it, and a respondent facing proposed suspension or dismissal is treated as contesting unless they accept in writing and waive a hearing, while under Appendix F a hearing follows unless both parties accept in writing. Student Conduct sets any sanction, which can be suspension or dismissal from the University of California, and a single hearing officer decides any hearing. An appeal after a hearing is due within 10 business days of the notice of the determination and any sanctions, and without a hearing the only appeal is to Student Conduct, within 10 business days of its notice that the preliminary determination is final, on the ground of a disproportionate sanction. See our UC Title IX lawyer page for each step in full.

Official UC Davis Title IX Resources

• UC Davis: What if I have been accused of sexual violence?
• UC Davis Sexual Violence Prevention and Response: File a Report
• HDAPP: Supportive Measures
• Interim UC Davis Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline
• UC Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment (SVSH)

Last verified: October 2026

Frequently Asked Questions About UC Davis Title IX Cases

Who at UC Davis will contact me?

It depends on the path. If the University offers Alternative Resolution, HDAPP staff contact you with the offer. If there is a Formal Investigation, you receive a notification letter, and the Respondent Services Coordinator contacts you to offer a meeting. An investigator assigned from Compliance and Policy will also meet with you.

Is the Title IX office confidential?

No. The campus FAQ says neither alternative resolution nor formal investigation is confidential, though the University treats the information as private. The case management team, which includes the Title IX office and, depending on your affiliation, student conduct representatives, is told both parties’ names and the allegations. Confidential resources exist separately.

Where can I get support as a respondent?

The Respondent Services Coordinator can explain the process and make referrals, but is not confidential. Counseling at Student Health and Counseling Services and the Office of the Ombuds are listed as confidential resources. CARE is for people who experienced sexual violence.

Can a lawyer be my advisor?

Yes. Under the UC process, an advisor can be any person who is not a party, including an attorney. Under Appendix E the advisor may not speak for you, and under Appendix F the advisor speaks only to ask your questions at the hearing. HDAPP says the University may restrict how far a support person can participate.

What happens if I am placed on interim suspension?

The conduct policy says you get prompt notice of the charges and the duration, and the Chancellor reviews the action within twenty-four hours. You may request a prompt hearing before the Director, who must tell you in writing within two days of your request whether the action stays, changes, or ends. That decision cannot be appealed.

Will this go on my transcript?

Under section 106.00, only a suspension or dismissal is noted. Suspension notations come off when the suspension ends, and dismissal notations come off only if you are readmitted to UC Davis. The policy says no other disciplinary actions are recorded on transcripts, but the policy (section 104.81) also allows administrative holds on transcripts, for example while a disciplinary referral is pending.

How long do I have to appeal?

After a hearing, you have 10 business days after the notice of the hearing officer’s determination and any sanctions, and the appeal goes to the hearing coordinator. If there was no hearing, you have 10 business days after Student Conduct’s notice that the determination is final and the proposed sanction will be imposed. That appeal goes to Student Conduct, and the only ground is a disproportionate sanction.